What is the KFW Writers Prize?
The new KFW Writers Prize, established through a generous gift from the Kentucky Women Writers Conference, honors Kentucky women writers whose work demonstrates artistic excellence, aligns with feminist values, and advances social change through literature. This award continues the shared vision of KFW and the Kentucky Women Writers Conference to support women and marginalized voices in the literary arts, center feminist perspectives, and amplify voices that challenge oppression.
Three writers will be awarded $1,000 each and an invitation to give a reading of their work.
Eligibility
Click here to see the full eligibility guidelines.
- Open to women and gender non-conforming writers age 18 and older.
- Must be a Kentucky resident at time of application.
- Submitted work may be previously published or unpublished, but published work must be from within the last five years.
- Current and former students of the final judge are not eligible to enter.
- We do not award work that is generated by AI.
Application Process & Selection Criteria
The KFW Writers Prize application will ask applicants to submit a brief bio and a writing sample. Reviewers and the final judge will see only the writing sample. All samples will be evaluated through an anonymous review process, so applicants should ensure that no identifying information appears in the writing sample itself or in the file name.
Click here for the complete guidelines.
The prize recognizes writers whose work:
- Centers feminist perspectives, amplifying voices, stories, or ideas that challenge oppression and uplift marginalized communities.
- Demonstrates artistic excellence, craft, originality, and innovation.
- Contributes to positive social change, through content, community engagement, or the work’s impact.
Review Process:Independent peer reviewers in the cycle’s genre will evaluate the first round of submissions anonymously. A shortlist will then be sent to the final judge, who will select three writers. KFW staff are not involved in decision-making.
Grant Deadlines and Timeframe
Application Opens: KFW Day each year. This year it opens September 28, 2025.
Application Deadline: October 31, 2025, 5 pm ET / 4 pm CT
Decision notifications: Typically occur in December.
Final Report: Each awardee must submit a brief reflection within 12 months describing the impact of the award on their writing and feminist work.